Mongolia

Two Weeks in Mongolia: From City Streets to Nomadic Life

Mongolia is a land that feels both vast and deeply personal. Over the course of just over two weeks, I experienced everything from the buzz of city life to the raw beauty of remote landscapes and the warmth of nomadic families who call this wild terrain home.

My journey began in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. On my first day, I wandered through the city, soaking in the contrast between modern buildings and traditional influences. That evening, I challenged myself with what turned out to be the steepest hike I’ve ever done. The climb was relentless, but reaching the top just in time for sunset made every step worth it. As the city glowed below, I felt a quiet sense of accomplishment, mixed with a bit of dread about getting back down. The descent was so steep that one wrong step genuinely felt like it could send me tumbling all the way to the bottom. Thankfully, I made it in one piece, and rewarded myself with a delicious hot pot dinner that night.

Soon after, we caught a domestic flight west to Ölgii, where everything began to change. This was my first real glimpse of life beyond the city. From a scenic viewpoint, I looked out over colourful rooftops framed by mountains, a striking introduction to the landscapes that would define the rest of the trip.

From Ölgii, we ventured deeper into the Altai Mountains, where we stayed for a couple of nights with an eagle hunter and his family. This was where Mongolia truly came alive for me. Their way of life was completely nomadic. No running water, no electricity, and moving several times a year with the seasons. Despite this, we were welcomed with incredible warmth. We stayed in their yurts and were offered traditional yak milk tea, which quickly became a daily favourite of mine.

One of the highlights of this part of the journey was a horseback ride through the mountains. Riding across such untouched landscapes felt surreal, and we stopped for lunch by a peaceful lake that looked like something out of a dream.

After leaving the eagle hunter, we stayed with another nomadic family. Once again, we were greeted with hospitality and endless cups of yak milk tea. But this time, we also heard more about the challenges they face. Climate change is making their lives increasingly difficult winters are becoming harsher, and their livestock are struggling to survive. One story that stayed with me was how their goats sometimes abort their young during extreme conditions. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile this way of life can be.

That evening, we sat around a campfire and listened to a Mongolian throat singer perform. It was haunting and beautiful, echoing across the open land. That night, I slept in a rooftop tent for the first time. At one point, I woke up convinced the ground was shaking, only to realise it was just a cow scratching itself against the car.

The next week was spent entirely off-road, following dirt tracks through some of the most remote areas I’ve ever seen. One of the things I loved most was the randomness of it all. You could be in the absolute middle of nowhere on dirt tracks, and suddenly a Toyota Prius would drive past like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Eventually, we made our way to the Gobi Desert. The landscape here was completely different- vast, dry, and endlessly dramatic. We stayed at a family camp and spent our days exploring the dunes. One evening, I captured photos of a camel herder silhouetted against the setting sun, with strong winds whipping sand through the air. It was harsh, beautiful, and unforgettable.

From there, we visited the Flaming Cliffs, a place famous for its rich deposits of dinosaur fossils. As someone who has always loved dinosaurs, this was a dream come true. I spent hours exploring, half convinced I’d stumble upon a fossil of my own. In my head, I was living out a scene straight from Jurassic Park. Despite my best efforts, I came up empty-handed.

Our journey continued to Mongolia’s tallest waterfall, where we also had our final horseback ride of the trip. It felt like a fitting way to close out such an adventure. Before heading back to the city, we were lucky enough to see the Przewalski horse, the only true wild horse species still in existence. Watching these rare animals roam freely across the steppe was a magical experience, a perfect reminder of Mongolia’s wild heart.

Returning to the city after so many days in the wilderness was strangely disorienting. After being constantly cold, sleeping in rooftop tents, and going without showers, stepping back into civilisation felt almost surreal. But it also gave me a deeper appreciation for everything I had just experienced.

Mongolia is not just a destination, it’s an immersion into a way of life that is both resilient and deeply connected to nature. The landscapes are breathtaking, but it’s the people and their stories that truly stay with you.

This trip challenged me, surprised me, and left me with memories I’ll carry for a lifetime.